7 Secrets of Confession

"We need to rid ourselves of the simplistic view of confession as some kind of magic formula that gives us an instant "fix" for sin." -- page 34 A recent survey of adult Catholics seems to tell the story. The poll revealed that just 2% of Catholics avail themselves of the confessional at least once a month while 26% partake of the Sacrament of Reconciliation only once or twice a year. Meanwhile, an astonishing 42% of Catholics admit that they never go to confession at all. In the 1940's and 1950's, confession was an integral part of most Catholics' spiritual life. So what happened?? Author Vinny Flynn believes he has many of the answers and spells them out in his new book "7 Secrets of Confession". For fallen away Catholics considering a return to the Church or for practicing Catholics seeking a deeper understanding of their faith "7 Secrets" should be considered "must" reading. The problem appears to be that all too many Catholics have an "adolescent" or even "infantile" understanding of this beautiful sacrament. Far too many of us enter the confessional with a "laundry list" of our sins. We approach confession in much the same way we did when we were formed in our faith as youngsters and teenagers. The failure to grow in the faith has deprived us of so many of the gifts that the Sacrament of Reconciliation has to offer. Time and again Vinny Flynn reminds his readers that confession is really about "healing". Early on he introduces us to the term "concupiscence" or our very human "inclination to sin". He goes on to say that "Christ wants to heal us of the attitudes, disordered desires, problems and wounds that are causing us to keep committing those sins." You will quickly discover that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is so much more than merely rattling off our sins. Indeed, Christ is present in that confessional and he invites us to throw off the chains that prevent us from following Him. Vinny Flynn reminds us all that confession is really meant to be a process of healing and education that helps us to grow in our faith. The author also urges us to consider not only "what I have done" but "what I have failed to do" when preparing for the sacrament. Clearly, there is a lot of food for thought in this little book. There is a very good chance that reading "7 Secrets of Confession" will dramatically improve your spiritual life. The potential return for investing 3 or 4 hours of your time to read this book is incalculable. You will certainly never look at confession in the same way again. You will learn how to let go of old wounds that may be holding you back and discover the healing power of forgiveness in your relationships with others. "7 Secrets of Confession" is written in down-to-earth language that everyone can understand. Highly recommended!

Excellent book. I was gifted this as an RCIA candidate and I gifted it to the person I’m sponsoring. An excellent read on Confession. Highly recommend.

I initially bought the three "7 Secrets" books because in this book's description, I found it was talking to me. Fear is a big part of my life, and Confession for a lot of people is high anxiety time. I am no exception. Vinny uses his same comfortable conversational tone, frequent references to defend his ideas and personal experience to wrestle Confession away from what I will say is the "I've Been Bad But I want to Be Good to Receive God" mentality to seeing Confession as a way to heal our deepest reasons for committing sins and thereby overcome them. This is done by trying to respond to God's Will at all times, not just keeping the Ten Commandments. It was a new idea to me that Confession is all about the Father, as mentioned on page 79. Also, the fact that sin affects everyone, not just the penitent, is emphasized. Secret #5 then explains the interconnectedness of the Mass and Confession as taking us to the Cross. The fruits Christ won for us are applied to us now in the confessional, so we don't need to be afraid; we're just receiving them now. Vinny uses an easy to understand example of email to illustrate this. The new life Christ wants us to live is described in secret 6 and how to live it by removing barriers has helpful examples of common barriers. He also outlines how to go to Confession. The afterword is a suggestion to go to confession often to expedite the cleanup process.A final bonus secret is an examination of conscience as well as praying for your confessor and ask Our Lady for help. All of these and more suggestions are aimed at turning Confession into something to be grateful for instead of dreaded or a routine.

In a way, I suspect we all know the 7 secrets deep within us. But the depth of Vinny Flynn's analysis is so honest and personal all in line with Church teaching it actually was one of the more compelling books I've read this year. Just when I thought he hit the main point of each secret, there would be more layers he would uncover. I dare not reveal the secrets here, other than they unpack theology into coherent and clear meaning that even non-Catholics could grasp the concepts. In other words, Vinny Flynn blows open the gate to the long standing cliche of confession and brings it right up to us in very simple terms: God is giving us a chance to come back. It's all there for us if we want it. Throughout the secrets, Flynn combines personal testimony with two big juggernauts, the Catechism (including the astounding section #2840) and Sr. Faustina's Diary revelations. For those on the heavy systematic theology or dogmatic side this might not be for you. Flynn's style is to appeal to the more regular folk and his casual, chatty style may not work for some readers. But what he has to say is required reading for all yearning to overcome the chains that are weighing them down -- and how to do it. This is a positive, hopeful and tremendously insightful book that will truly compel you to want to start anew today. If you let it, allow it to open your heart. As you read on you will find that while you are grateful that it helps you approach Confession in a new light, you will want to read even more about God's love for each of us. "Nothing that you or I have ever done, ever will do, or ever could do, can make Him stop loving us."

I prepared for my first confession by reading this book and it was so helpful. Everyone should read it. It’s explanation of Gods mercy and Sin is excellent

Its a beautiful book which definately needs to be read.It has must read material in its contents by every catholic.

Great book. Thank you Mr Flynn. Written in plain language and at the same time so, so deep. God loves us unconditionally, wants us to come back home when we turned away our hearts; He is waiting for us to go to confession, where He embraces us with his infinite Divine Mercy, heals us, and give us his grace so that we can be his happy children again. I strongly recommend it.

Clear, insightful and well put across. There is so much healing needed in this world. Everyone should start here. Defy evil with confession.

Really special book that discusses more deeply the Sacrament of Confession in the Catholic Church. I learnt some new things and it helped strengthen my appreciation for this Sacrament. Would definitely recommend anybody to read this book.

I purchased this book in hopes it would assist my preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and for a deeper overall Lenten experience. I was not disappointed. Mr. Flynn's sharing of his own participation in the confessional, and his effective spiritual teaching and counselling were so very helpful for me. It was a blessing for me to look at the Sacrament with new eyes. I am grateful to God, and to this book by Vinny Flynn for so much help! It will be kept nearby for future reference, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking new insight and better understanding of Christ's beautiful sacrament of mercy and peace.